Educational Philosophy Part 3 Homework Philosophy Can Dangerous Because Threatens Change Our

Unlock access to all the studying documents.

View Full Document

SOCCIO ARCHETYPES OF WISDOM

Last printed 3/14/2023 11:35:00 AM

PART 3

LECTURE AND DISCUSSION TIPS FOR EACH

CHAPTER

This section contains tips for classroom lectures and

discussions for each chapter that you might find useful. I am

including modified versions of the Summary of Main Points

here so that you won t have to reread the entire chapter in

order to prepare lectures and discussions. Also included are

suggestions for movies and videos that relate to the chapter

material. I do not recommend showing all of these videos nor

showing any of them in their entirety. Most of them contain

scenes that deal with concepts or issues addressed in the

reading. Carefully used, a video snippet now and then can

spark student interest and underscore the fact that

philosophical ideas affect all aspects of our lives. Another

possibility is assigning essays keyed to videos viewed out of

class in the media center. You might ask students to

philosophically review a film or have them identify

philosophical themes in current films.

OVERVIEWS

Consider having students read the two Overviews (Classical

Themes and Modern Themes) right away, perhaps along with

a quick read of Chapters 1 and 18. Even though many

SOCCIO ARCHETYPES OF WISDOM

Consider opening the course with a general discussion of the

virtues of rational discourse. This is a good way to deal

directly with student skepticism and relativism. I have found

that a clear but light touch works best in the beginning. A

light touch early on minimizes the risk of insulting,

intimidating, or alienating students. It is important not to

come across as either namby-pamby (hyper-relativistic) or

doctrinaire (rigidly authoritarian).

A scan of the Overviews and Chapter 18: Philosophy as a

Way of Life provides a great opportunity for raising the

following questions:

What is rational discourse, and what are its virtues?

Does appearance differ from reality?

When is an explanation adequate?

Is truth (knowledge) relative?

Is truth a matter of consensus?

Is objectivity possible?

Are there any universal truths or moral values?

Can we judge the past with present standards?

Is everything a matter of perspective?

Is there (really) such a thing as wisdom?

Can the unenlightened recognize the enlightened?

Does philosophy have anything to offer in today s

sophisticated world of high technology and instant

information?

SOCCIO ARCHETYPES OF WISDOM

Last printed 3/14/2023 11:35:00 AM

INTRODUCTION:

PHILOSOPHY AND THE SEARCH FOR WISDOM

Introduction Key Concepts

The word philosophy is from Greek roots meaning the

love of wisdom.

The primary areas of philosophy are metaphysics, which

addresses the problem of what is real; epistemology, which is

the study of knowledge; axiology, which is the study of

Philosophy seeks wisdom through human reasoning and

experience, whereas religion receives wisdom through divine

revelations.

Philosophers distinguish between knowledge (justified

Philosophical archetypes are philosophers who express

an original or influential point of view in a way that

SOCCIO ARCHETYPES OF WISDOM

Last printed 3/14/2023 11:35:00 AM

Theoretical knowledge is accurate compilation and

assessment of factual and systematic relationships. Practical

Wisdom is general knowledge of what does and does not

produce human happiness, including the difference between

Experience is a necessary condition for wisdom but

cannot guarantee it. Growth as distinguished from aging

requires willingness to question beliefs and modify or reject

them in light of accumulated knowledge and experience.

Willed ignorance is an attitude of indifference to the

SOCCIO ARCHETYPES OF WISDOM

Last printed 3/14/2023 11:35:00 AM

Introduction Teaching Tips

1. Introduce Archetypes of Wisdom s many pedagogical

features right away by going over them in class. Call students

attention to boxes, margin quotes, Philosophical Queries,

2. Use the Krishnamurti, Durant, and Russell boxes to get

students thinking about what s important and what s not

when it comes to life in general and formal education in

particular. This works well in class and as a first, ungraded

writing assignment. Take advantage of students natural

Last printed 3/14/2023 11:35:00 AM

3. On the first or second day of class, ask your students, as a

group, to name five living athletes, religious figures,

entertainers, and philosophers while you list their answers on

the board. If your class is typical, very few students will be

4. In England, the first Harry Potter book is titled Harry

Potter and the Philosopher s Stone. The publishers thought that

5. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of hurry-up,

6. Discuss the section Are Philosophers Always Men? in

7. Spend some time distinguishing philosophy from religion

in terms of the standards and nature of evidence demanded

Last printed 3/14/2023 11:35:00 AM

8. Remind students that they already have a basic sense of

the difference between wisdom and knowledge, as evidenced

9. Have the class define foolishness and discuss several

examples of it.

10. Use examples such as toxic dumping, failure to carpool,

and the persistent reelection of ethically shabby politicians to

amplify the discussion of hurry-up, results-oriented education

11. Use the photos of former President G. W. Bush holding

hands with Saudi Prince Abdull and President Barack Obama